Two identical twins showed very similar methylation patterns when they were 4 years old, but these patterns diverged considerably by the time they were 40 years old.What is the most likely explanation for this?
A) It is an effect of different genomic imprinting in the twins.
B) It is due to different alternative splicing in the twins.
C) It is due to the twins experiencing different environments as adults.
D) It is due to different levels of histone acetyltransferase in the twins.
E) It is due to differences the twins experienced in utero.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely explanation is that the twins experienced different environments as adults, which influenced their methylation patterns. This is supported by studies on epigenetic changes in response to environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle choices. Alternative splicing and genomic imprinting are not likely to explain the observed differences, as these mechanisms do not typically result in widespread changes to methylation patterns. Histone modifications may also play a role in epigenetic regulation, but there is no evidence to suggest that different levels of histone acetyltransferase in the twins would lead to the observed changes in methylation patterns. Differences experienced in utero may have some impact, but it is less likely to account for the large changes observed over the course of 36 years.

Two Identical Twins Showed Very Similar Methylation Patterns When They